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skent
Since 08 Aug 2011
170 Posts
North Bend, WA & Lyle, WA
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 Wed Aug 10, 11 11:34 am Waist vs seat harness? |
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I am a newbie and need to get my first kite harness. Should I get a waist or seat harness? I prefer using a waist harness for windsurfing so I didn't know if that is what I should also use for kiteboarding?
Steve
"the newb with lots of questions" |
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beej
Since 16 Jul 2010
180 Posts
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 1:01 pm |
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Waist. No contest in my opinion.
I'm a newbie myself, and was told that I needed a seat harness. I got a DaKine Fusion, and hated that thing. I don't use the word hate lightly here. I couldn't get comfortable.
I then posted on this board, and went with a Mystic Warrior. The best decision I made that whole month I think.
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craz z
Since 01 Dec 2008
130 Posts
Montana
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 1:28 pm |
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| Quote: | I'm a newbie myself, and was told that I needed a seat harness. I got a DaKine Fusion, and hated that thing. I don't use the word hate lightly here. I couldn't get comfortable.
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I think that may have been your problem. I've said it a few times in other threads something about dakine seat or even dakine waist that suck. bought a fusion wore it once and left it at home the clips were shit and the back problems were horrendous.
Bought a north seat harness never looked back. I think for me anyway a softer material on a seat make them really nice and comfy.
There is a small learning curve between waist and seat. the hookpoint is slightly different putting your boosting position in different areas.
I rotate way faster on waist then i do seat. my grabs are way easier on my seat then waist. (gotta cut down on beer)
I like seat a bit more just cause i can breathe better. i can loosely adjust the seat and feel just fine. My waist i have to cinch down super tight so it doesn't ride up causing me to not breathe as well.
Many use waist on snow but for me i only wear seat on snow. I don't have a coat with a bar hole so putting on a waist harness blocks all functions of my coat not to mention riding my coat up and sending snow up my back. No probs with my seat harness.
if you can get to a shop and try them on. however one good test under a kite will let u know which is right for you. |
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big al snow
Since 08 Aug 2011
14 Posts
Anacortes, wa
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 2:00 pm |
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| craz z wrote: | | Quote: | I'm a newbie myself, and was told that I needed a seat harness. I got a DaKine Fusion, and hated that thing. I don't use the word hate lightly here. I couldn't get comfortable.
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I think that may have been your problem. I've said it a few times in other threads something about dakine seat or even dakine waist that suck. bought a fusion wore it once and left it at home the clips were shit and the back problems were horrendous.
Bought a north seat harness never looked back. I think for me anyway a softer material on a seat make them really nice and comfy.
There is a small learning curve between waist and seat. the hookpoint is slightly different putting your boosting position in different areas.
I rotate way faster on waist then i do seat. my grabs are way easier on my seat then waist. (gotta cut down on beer)
I like seat a bit more just cause i can breathe better. i can loosely adjust the seat and feel just fine. My waist i have to cinch down super tight so it doesn't ride up causing me to not breathe as well.
Many use waist on snow but for me i only wear seat on snow. I don't have a coat with a bar hole so putting on a waist harness blocks all functions of my coat not to mention riding my coat up and sending snow up my back. No probs with my seat harness.
if you can get to a shop and try them on. however one good test under a kite will let u know which is right for you. |
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Youkai
Since 08 Feb 2010
553 Posts
Beaverton
Addicted
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 2:01 pm |
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I think a seat harness is ok when learning because it won't ride up while you body drag; which you will do a lot of. I gave mine up in short order though because I valued not having my nads crunched all the time. I'm sure that could be alleviated with the correct seat harness.
Another thing is I found it very difficult to ride toe-side on a seat harness while hooked in. A waist harness will rotate a little to the side and you can rotate your torso some to ride toeside. A seat harness pulls from your hips and it's more difficult. I was a newb at the time though so maybe experienced people have better luck than I did.
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Captain kook; always wrong. |
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big al snow
Since 08 Aug 2011
14 Posts
Anacortes, wa
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 2:12 pm |
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| Botched that last reply. I got a bad disc in my lower back and was going to buy a Daking Fusion seat harness, could I get more thoughts on the comfort differences between the North and the Dakine. Thanks. |
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Youkai
Since 08 Feb 2010
553 Posts
Beaverton
Addicted
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 2:24 pm |
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Get advice for sure; but you can also go try them on. When you do make sure you take whatever wetsuit/clothes you will most commonly be wearing when using the harness. My wetsuit is most likely what made my seated harness uncomfortable; there was no way for the leg straps to work without crunching the baby makers under the wetsuit.
I'm pretty sure Gorge Performance has a rope you can attach the harness to so you can put weight on it and see how it feels.
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Captain kook; always wrong. |
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soona
Since 27 Sep 2009
72 Posts
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 2:45 pm |
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| Don't mean to digress the thread, but - serious question here - is there any functional advantage to the boardshorts-harness or is it just a fashion statement? |
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Jonpnw
Since 22 Jul 2010
1327 Posts
Pacific Northwest
XTreme Poster
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 2:57 pm |
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I had a Dakine Fusion seat harness and it was very comfortable. BUT how can I rock boots and a jersey with a seat harness?
The first waist harness I tried killed my back. I will keep trying until I find one that works.
I need steez.
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Slingshot | Ride Engine |Try before you buy | PM me
Join the Columbia Gorge Water Sports Association. http://gorgewindsurfing.org/ |
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chrissmack
Since 08 Jun 2005
526 Posts
portland
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 2:58 pm |
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unless you have some physical limitation (bad back, ginormous beer gut), skip the seat harness - junk.
if a waist harness rides up while you are riding, you aren't learning back enough and maybe also flying the kite too high. fix them problems; there's nothing wrong with a waist harness. |
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kenja
Since 19 Jun 2008
179 Posts
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| Wed Aug 10, 11 9:12 pm |
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To each their own and very dependent on riding style... I rode waist harnesses for years until I was forced to get a seat harness for my drysuit. Once I tried it, I gave away my waist harness and haven't looked back. I rode a North seat harness at first, but I like the higher hook on the Fusion and have switched to that.
If you are mowing the swells on a surfboard most of the time (like 90% of kiters these days) or mostly doing low altitude wake style tricks or mostly unhooking, I'd stick with a waist because it is more comfortable, adjustable, and flexible, especially for toeside. If you like boosting big, kiteloops and other moves that really tug on the harness (my favorite style), the the seat harness has some major advantages. It prevents high tension wetsuit cameltoe, armpit chafing, and mid session harness wrestling. It is probably better for beginners, too, in my opinion for the same reasons. |
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MarkWorth
Since 02 May 2011
149 Posts
Hood River
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| Thu Aug 11, 11 7:25 am |
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Some people have a body shape that makes waist harnesses ride up, and they cannot find a waist harness that will stay down without over tightening it and loosing lung capacity.
This forces me to use shorts or a seat harnesses.
Everyone is different, find something that fits.
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Have More Fun!
Mark
Gorge Kiteboard School
http://gorgekiteboardschool.com |
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OG
Since 07 Jun 2011
597 Posts
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| Thu Aug 11, 11 9:14 am |
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i've got the shorts and a waist harness. i like the shorts because its less gear and doesn't hurt my back at all. snug on the fellas. I prefer to wear the waist, much more comfie, but depending on the riding im doing my back will get really sore. I almost always bring both, wouldn't want a session not to happen because of something with the harness.
Id say your choice is based on preference. Neither are a huge expense, Im sure you can throw a wanted post in the classifieds and find something cheap. So, you probably cant go wrong.
I would say that new folks to the sport have a lot to worry about out there. If potentially having a waist harness pulled up around your ribs sounds limiting and potentially something that will make you panic a bit, go with the waist. The waist is more or less training wheels for some folks, but is a good backup and loaner. If it was me, id say go with a waist.
dont get a piece of shit. |
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scartch
Since 10 Feb 2008
29 Posts
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| Thu Aug 11, 11 3:59 pm what about the old vest |
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| maybe i'm old school but i like my dakine impact vest. makes me feel a little redneck it does not ride up, i can ride toe side and the boys still get to hang out in comfort. the nice thing is that it provides some floatation and softens the blows you will take being a beginner. just another way to go. don't know if they even sell them any more |
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